How does Jacob's name represent our dual nature as Christians?
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Jacob's name illustrates the duality of our sinful nature and our new identity as God's people, known as Israel.
In the context of Obadiah 1:17, Jacob represents the sinful nature we all possess, while Israel symbolizes our new identity in Christ. Jacob, meaning 'supplanter' or 'deceiver,' illustrates our fallenness and our propensity to sin. However, when God refers to His people as Israel, it reflects their status as 'prince of God' and highlights the transformative work of grace. As believers, we live in this duality; while we recognize our old nature’s tendency to sin, we also embrace our new identity in Christ, who enables us to live in holiness and bear fruit in accordance with God’s will. This distinction serves to remind us of our continual dependence on God’s grace for both our identity and our conduct.
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